Local artists are once again getting the chance to show their stuff in this year's 10th annual Artwalk.
Organized by the Wellspring Visual ArtNetwork Association (WVANA), Artwalk lasts from June 18 to Oct. 2 and encompasses most of the region, taking place in Carstairs, Didsbury, Innisfail, Olds and Sundre.
“It is a collaboration of businesses and artists in five different communities,” said Osi Cruz-Lahtinen, the president of WVANA.
Every year, art is displayed inside local businesses, as opposed to a traditional gallery, for people to look at and possibly buy.
There are four locations in Sundre – Otter Rafting, Sundre Home Hardware Building Centre, West Country Frames and Décor and Sundre Museum & World of Wildlife.
Members of WVANA, who are all local artists, use this opportunity to expose their pieces to the community. Their works range from watercolour paintings to pristine woodcarvings.
Cruz-Lahtinen said businesses are first asked what kind of artwork they would like and then matched up with whatever artwork their building could accommodate.
Consideration is also given to the preservation of the artwork, so watercolour or oil paintings wouldn't be displayed in stores letting in too much direct sunlight.
WVANA has printed 3,000 maps to help people navigate the Artwalk.
The theme this year is Alberta is Strong.
“It's a great way to get new people in the door who wouldn't come in otherwise, and we have the pleasure of looking at some nice art while we're working,” said Jason Moody, one of the owners of Pandora's Boox & Tea.
Artwalk also has the benefit of exposing businesses and allowing newcomers to get acquainted with local places.
Last year, one woman who had recently moved to Central Alberta saw one of the Artwalk maps and ended up touring the area.
“This lady was really thankful we had this walk because now she is a part of the community,” Cruz-Lahtinen said.
Olds has significantly more stops on the Artwalk since WVANA was founded here.
It is also because Olds has an unusually large number of artists, the largest per capita in Alberta, even more so than big cities like Calgary, according to unofficial counts.
WVANA is a non-profit organization with a current membership of 45 visual artists.
It seeks to enrich local culture, provide artists the chance to showcase their work and promote appreciation for the visual arts in rural Albertan communities between Red Deer and Calgary.
